Dubrovnik: The Original Game of Thrones Tour & Lokrum Option

Dubrovnik makes a convincing King’s Landing because its stone walls, steep lanes, sea views, and old fortresses need little help from a film crew. This Game of Thrones tour connects those real places with the scenes you remember, from Cersei’s Walk of Shame to the Kings Landing riots.

I like the mix of filming trivia and Dubrovnik history, and I like that guides use scene photos to show camera angles and help you match the screen image to the street in front of you. The main drawback is cost beyond the $26 tour price: Lovrijenac Fortress and the Lokrum option require extra fees, and the many steps can be tough.

Key points to know before you book

• See the Walk of Shame route: Follow the streets and Jesuit Steps used for one of the series’ most famous scenes.
• Visit the Red Keep: Lovrijenac Fortress offers filming connections and fine views, but its €15 entrance fee is separate.
• Add Qarth on Lokrum: The three-hour option includes a ferry ride and time on the island, with the official Iron Throne as its prize stop.
• Expect a local guide: Guides including Tihomir, Jelena, Joseph, Eddie, Karmen, and Josip are praised for clear storytelling, humor, and city knowledge.
• Use photos at each stop: Scene images make it much easier to see how Dubrovnik became King’s Landing.
• Plan for stairs: This is a walking tour through an old stone city, not an easy flat stroll.

Starting beside the Large Onofrio’s Fountain

The meeting point is easy to find in Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Look for the representative with a red umbrella beside the Large Onofrio’s Fountain, next to the Hard Rock Cafe. There are three listed starting point options around the fountain, all in the same general area.

This is a sensible place to begin. You are already inside the Old Town, close to Pile Gate and the first filming locations. Arrive ready to walk, with comfortable shoes and water. The tour lasts two hours in its basic form, or three hours if you choose Lokrum Island.

The tour is conducted in English. A private group can be requested, which may suit families or small groups that want more room for questions. The usual experience focuses on a guide leading you through the city, stopping at filming sites, sharing scene photos, and adding local stories.

Pile Gate and the first view of King’s Landing

Pile Gate is one of the key entrances to Dubrovnik’s Old Town and one of the first places where the city’s screen identity comes into focus. The tour links the gate with the show’s use of Dubrovnik as King’s Landing, giving you a quick visual lesson in how the production used real streets instead of a fully built fantasy set.

I find this kind of beginning useful because it gets you oriented to the city as well as the television series. Guides such as Tihomir and Jelena are praised for connecting the fictional scenes with Croatia’s own past, so you are not simply collecting snapshots of famous locations.

From Pile Gate, expect a walking route through narrow streets and public squares. The Old Town is compact, but compact does not mean level. Stone paving, stairs, and changing elevations are part of the experience.

Lovrijenac Fortress, the Red Keep above the sea

The route continues toward Lovrijenac Fortress, often identified with the Red Keep. This is one of the most worthwhile stops for both fans and first-time visitors because the fortress supplies the drama without much explanation: high stone walls, open views, and a strong position above the water.

Scenes involving Tyrion and Varys were filmed here, and the guide explains how the production used the fortress. You should also get scenic views along the way, making this more than a quick television reference.

Entrance is not included in the $26 price. The separate cost is €15 per person, with free admission for children under seven. You can enter without paying this extra fee if you have a valid Dubrovnik Pass or a City Walls ticket from the same day or the previous day.

That detail can change the value calculation. If you already plan to walk Dubrovnik’s walls, the fort may be free for you. If you are booking this tour alone and do not have either pass or ticket, add €15 before comparing the total cost with other city tours.

The fortress section also explains the mobility warning. You will encounter stairs and uneven stone surfaces, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, mobility scooters, or people with significant mobility impairments. It is also listed as unsuitable for pregnant women, people with vertigo or a fear of heights, and those with respiratory issues.

Stradun, Orlando’s Column, and the city scenes

After the fortress, the route returns through some of Dubrovnik’s best-known central places. Stradun, the Old Town’s main street, appears in the itinerary as a guided sightseeing stop. The guide helps you see how ordinary streets were dressed and framed for King’s Landing scenes.

The value here is in the comparison. You can look at the real city, then check the scene photos and see what changed for filming. That visual aid is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. Several reviews describe the guides taking time to show camera angles, where actors walked, and how particular locations appeared on screen.

Orlando’s Column adds another stop in the historic center. It is not presented as a separate fortress visit, but as part of the walking route through the city. You get a broader sense of Dubrovnik’s public spaces while hearing how they fit into the series.

The tour also visits places tied to the Purple Wedding, local markets, and other streets used throughout King’s Landing. These smaller stops matter because they break up the most obvious sights. You are not only visiting the locations every fan already knows. You are also learning how many different corners of Dubrovnik were adapted for the show.

The Jesuit Steps and Cersei’s Walk of Shame

The Jesuit Steps are among the most recognizable stops on the tour. They are connected with Cersei’s infamous Walk of Shame, and the guide uses the location to explain the route and the way the scene was filmed.

This is likely to be a highlight for dedicated fans. The steps are visually distinct, and scene photos help you place the action. You can also take photographs here, though the tour takes place in a working historic city rather than a closed film set. Other people may be using the steps, and the pace of the group must fit the public space.

The Jesuit Steps also give you a chance to pause for the real Dubrovnik around you. The area includes a market and restaurants, so it can be useful for a meal or drink after the tour. Food and drinks are not included, but this part of the route makes it easy to continue exploring on your own.

The Kings Landing riots and other street scenes are covered along the walk. Your guide adds behind-the-scenes details and explains how the city’s residents lived alongside production for several years. That local angle gives the tour more weight than a simple checklist of movie locations.

The Iron Throne and Lokrum’s Qarth connection

The extended three-hour option adds Lokrum Island after the Old Town walking route. The ferry ride takes about 15 minutes, and Lokrum was used as Qarth in Season 2.

The island section is not just another photo stop. You see the official Iron Throne and learn how the production adapted Lokrum for filming. The Iron Throne gives you the classic souvenir photograph, and it is included as a photo opportunity within the tour.

The extra hour also changes the shape of the day. After the guided portion, you have free time to swim in hidden coves, walk through the botanical gardens, rest in the shade, or stop for a drink or lunch. You return to Dubrovnik at your own pace, according to the information provided for the tour.

The ferry and island costs are separate. Round-trip transportation and Lokrum admission total €30 for adults and €5 for children aged five to 17. A three-day Dubrovnik Pass gives you 20 percent off the Lokrum ferry, while a seven-day pass gives you 30 percent off.

This option makes the most sense if you want a slower outing and have enough time in Dubrovnik. If your main goal is to see filming sites, the two-hour route covers the Old Town and fortress without the added expense. If you want the Iron Throne, a swim, and a break from the stone streets, Lokrum gives you a fuller half-day feel.

Keep motion sickness in mind. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with motion sickness, and the ferry is part of the extended option. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

What the guides add to the experience

The strongest part of this tour is the guide’s ability to join three subjects without letting any one of them take over: Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik’s past, and the mechanics of filming.

Tihomir receives repeated praise for his storytelling, humor, punctuality, and patience. Joseph is described as engaging, funny, and good at explaining both the city and the series. Jelena is praised for being clear, warm, and enthusiastic about Dubrovnik. Eddie, Karmen, Josip, Ivo, Bruno, Boris, and Tiho are also named as guides who bring energy and useful detail to the walk.

Guide quality can vary on any live tour, but the pattern here is clear. You should expect a personable English-speaking guide rather than a recorded audio route. Several comments point to guides answering questions, taking photographs, and keeping the two-hour walk moving without rushing through the stops.

I especially like that the tour is not limited to people who have watched every season. One review describes it as enjoyable even for someone unfamiliar with the show because the route also includes general city history and scenic places. If you are traveling with a mixed group, that balance matters.

How much value do you get for $26?

At $26 per person, the basic two-hour tour is fairly priced for a guided walk through several major Old Town filming sites, provided you understand what is not included. You are paying for the guide and the organized route, not for fortress admission, food, drinks, or any Lokrum transport.

The tour becomes more expensive if you add Lovrijenac at €15. It may still be good value because the fortress is one of the most striking stops, but check your Dubrovnik plans first. A City Walls ticket or Dubrovnik Pass can remove that extra admission charge.

The Lokrum option requires a larger budget. Add €30 for an adult, or €5 for a child aged five to 17, for the ferry and island admission. That can be worthwhile if you were already planning to visit Lokrum, especially with the Iron Throne and free island time included. It is less attractive if you only want a quick photograph and have limited time.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start gives you some flexibility, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you need.

Who should take this Dubrovnik tour?

I would choose the two-hour tour for a serious fan with a short stay, a cruise-day visit, or anyone who wants a focused Old Town walk. It covers Pile Gate, Blackwater Bay, the Walk of Shame route, Lovrijenac, Stradun, Orlando’s Column, the Jesuit Steps, the Purple Wedding area, markets, and other King’s Landing streets.

The Lokrum option suits you if you want more than filming locations. It adds Qarth, the official Iron Throne, a ferry ride, and free time for swimming or a garden walk. Build in enough time to enjoy the island rather than treating it as a rushed add-on.

I would skip this experience if stairs, steep streets, heights, or uneven paving are a serious concern. The activity is specifically not suitable for wheelchair users, mobility scooter users, pregnant women, people with vertigo, or people with certain respiratory problems. A private group may help with conversation and pacing, but it cannot remove the physical demands of the Old Town route.

Should you book the Original Game of Thrones Tour?

Book it if you want your Dubrovnik sightseeing to have a clear theme, but also want a guide to explain the city itself. The 4.8 rating from 5,064 reviews reflects a very strong record, and the most consistent praise centers on engaging guides, useful scene photos, humor, and the mix of show trivia with local history.

Choose the two-hour route for the best price and the essential filming locations. Add Lovrijenac if you do not mind the €15 fee, or if your Dubrovnik Pass makes admission free. Choose Lokrum only when you want Qarth, the Iron Throne, and island time enough to justify the extra €30 adult transport and admission cost.

FAQ

How long does the Game of Thrones tour last?

The standard walking tour lasts two hours. The extended option lasts three hours and adds Lokrum Island.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet beside the Large Onofrio’s Fountain in Dubrovnik’s Old Town, next to the Hard Rock Cafe. Look for a representative with a red umbrella.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is Lovrijenac Fortress included in the price?

No. Entrance costs €15 per person. Children under seven enter free. Admission is also free with a valid Dubrovnik Pass or a City Walls ticket from the same day or the previous day.

Does the Lokrum option include the ferry and island admission?

No. The round-trip ferry and Lokrum admission cost €30 for adults and €5 for children aged five to 17.

Is there a discount for Dubrovnik Pass holders?

Yes. A three-day Dubrovnik Pass gives 20 percent off the Lokrum ferry, and a seven-day pass gives 30 percent off.

Can I take a photograph on the Iron Throne?

Yes. The extended Lokrum option includes a photo opportunity on the official Iron Throne.

Will the tour visit Cersei’s Walk of Shame location?

Yes. The route includes the Jesuit Steps and the streets connected with Cersei’s Walk of Shame.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. The route includes steps and stairs.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.